First off, the Guerlain Nacres des Mers Illuminating Pressed Powder was a limited edition item from 2009. You can still get it from Strawberrynet (where I got mine) but its no longer in stores. This review is at the request of the readers who are keen to know how this performs as its got a beige tone. Besides, until StrawberryNET.com runs out, you can still get it there 🙂
I was a little worried when I received the Nacres des Mers meteorites powder in the mail. It looked so shimmery on the surface – pretty but shimmery as heck! I was however heartened by my previous experience with Mythic Parfait so I took my brush and dusted it over the surface, removing all traces of shimmer. Ah! That looks better! 😀
Nacres des Mers has a beige tone as can be seen in the colour of the powder. Whilst Mythic Parfait gives my skin an ethereal glow Nacres des Mers gives it a touch of warmth. I’ve been using it nearly every day since I got it as you can see from the picture. The pearls have flattened some.
I’m no fan of bronzers because they tend to make me look strangely orange, dark or like I had a touch too much sun. With Nacres des Mers, I can now give my skin that much needed warmth which I sometimes like when wearing warmer colours e.g. orange lipstick or brown eyeshadow or peach blush or when I want to brighten up a foundation that might make me look a bit pale.
What you will NOT get from this powder is a lot of colour. It is not a powder foundation nor is it a loose powder. You might even wonder why you should bother using it.
Well, I like using it as a finishing powder. It adds that extra little touch that makes your makeup look just so. So once I’m done with my foundation du jour, I pick up my fluffy brush, run it over the surface of the powder and apply on my face all over. The difference is quite imperceptible but if you are used to looking at yourself in the mirror, you will notice how much more polished you look. I sometimes use this over foundation that might look a little light on me. It adjusts it just so 🙂 I’ve also worn it by itself on bare skin. Doesn’t cover anything but makes you look a tad less “naked”.
So, that’s Guerlain’s Nacres des Mers Illuminating Pressed Powder pearls. Oh and there’s quite a strong scent that does not linger on the skin, but I forgive Guerlain that because I can’t do without my daily dose of Meteorites! 🙂 I also just picked up Rose Frais because of reader recommendations and I can’t wait to show you that one – its too pretty!
Gosh! We are all HORRIBLE for each other right? 😛
Paris B
horrible indeed! i am your worst victim! dior highshine addict, guerlain meteorites, strivectin eye cream, dior capture total, dior nudeskin foundation and most recently, Dior summer gloss have all been purchased by me because of you! Shame on thou! =P
hmm. if u can do warm maybe i can too. cos my face is a nasty shade of pale yellow. i use 010 for nudeskin. nooo! not another guerlain product! my wallet is on a diet!
also, i really admire how you manage to come up with daily posts despite working. i need my daily dose! u r superwoman!
gah! you are quick! But you picked up the good stuff – not unhappy with them are you? I haven’t picked up the summer gloss (whew!) hehe… I use 010 too so yeah perhaps we are of similar colouring. Luckily (or unluckily) this one’s no longer on the shelves so you’re safe! 😀 Oh and I multitask like a crazy woman 😛
nope, not unhappy at all, <3 them all! oh and btw, just a question, if you dont mind. i only use foundation on my nose and the area above my upper lip (what on earth is this called) because these are the only areas where my skin is uneven and poreful. (poreful?) on the rest of my face where i have old fading pimple(battle) scars, i just conceal.
but, for some reason, diorskin on my nose goes on patchy, and if i blot during the day it gets worse. it looks like i put in on really dry skin, when in fact my skni has been prepped with serum, moisturizer and base.
any advice? =( i use my fingers to apply.
p.s. hoo boy do i believe the multitasking! did u get bitten by a radioactive multitasker?
Have you tried using a primer before applying the foundation? That sometimes help – evens out the skin so foundation doesn’t settle into pores so much. I sometimes get that happen to me too – sometimes its to do with the moisturizer I use that causes the foundation to go patchy. Hope you try something that can help it work.
Whew!!! They do look pretty!!! But For me, I would be hard put to go beyond the basics as of yet. Strange, I know. Haihz. Mumsies is an anti-makeup unless for work person, and well, I get guilt pangs even getting the basics hahaha. The lil college gal still needs Mumma’s approval hahaha.
Not to worry – the Meteorites will likely still be around by the time you hit the working world and realize you need that glow to avoid looking like a walking corpse LOL!
I have this and it’s my go-to powder for when I’m tan, like now!!
I LOVE THIS!
Yay! I gotta agree – it does look better on slightly tanned skin but I also loves how it adds warmth to my otherwise white skin without making me look like I have a fake tan! 😀
oh my.. that does look pretty damn gorgeous. *salivates*
*hands you tissue to wipe drool*
wow…gorgeous!
Wow, that’s gorgeous! Too bad Strawberry.Net doesn’t ship to Italy.
It doesn’t? Gosh! That really sucks 🙁
May I ask, you seem to prefer the Guerlain meteorites more than the Dior Rose Diamond shimmer powder. Is there a particular reason why? They both seem to do the same thing from what I read. (Yes I am trying to convince myself I only need ONE of these two and not both. Eeeps!)
For me, the Guerlain Meteorites are an all over face illuminator. It doesn’t show up much. I use Dior’s Rose Diamond more as a blush or cheek highlighter because it shows up more shimmery with more colour. They both highlight but they don’t quite do the same thing 🙂
Ditto, Paris. I normally use this when I need to tone down a pale face or to counter any foundation that may oxidize. Bit of a caveat with Mac liquid foundie though; I once looked like a cross between a jaundiced infant and an overzealous carrot eater. OK so I exaggerate but you get the picture. Must be the yellow/orange undertones of my MAC shade.
Can’t wait to hear bout what u make of the Rose Frais. I have pink to neutral undertones but with olive skin and it suits me beautifully. Looking forward to it! 🙂
LOL at your experience with MAC and this powder! I will try to let you know how I feel about Rose Frais soon. Haven’t had the heart to swipe off the shimmer yet 😀
heehee! we are not horrible for each other… i prefer to think of it as us performing a mutual benefit service for all womenkind!
Haha you’re too kind 😉 at least we share stories of things that work!
I used my Meteorites for the first time at Sunday’s lunch! You’re right, its not very noticeable as makeup, but the finished look in person is wow! I can’t get it to show up in pictures though (I was camwhoring at home after the event), so the effect is only in real life.
I can’t capture the effect on camera too its too subtle. But in real life – wow! 😀 I did notice you looked awesome on Sunday 🙂
Hi, Paris, i wanna to give a try for Guerlain Illuminating Pressed Powder but still can’t make decision whether i should buy Mythic Parfait 01 or Rose Frais 02. Any recommendation? As i can’t personally go to try the product in the counter as i’m in East M’sia.
Hi Tracy – I have a review of Rose Frais coming up. It might address your queries so watch out for it 🙂
Thanks. Paris. Looking forward for your review on Rose Frais.